South Cumbria’s proactive officers create positive impact thanks to Council Tax increase in 2018

South Cumbria’s extra eight proactive police officers have made a significant difference to the force’s capacity in fighting crime.

The extra officers were recruited as a result of Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, fulfilling his pledge to do so in-light-of the council tax precept increase in 2018, with the officers now being in place for just over a year.

Over the last year, the extra officers have covered a variety of proactive policing activities, from beat patrol, to gathering intelligence, executing warrants and carrying out arrests.

The figures and results speak for themselves. In south Cumbria, the proactive teams have made more than 150 arrests, carried out over 100 stop-searches and walked thousands of miles on the beat.

This activity has included arrests on suspicion of attempted murder, conspiracy to supply controlled Class A drugs and driving over the limit of alcohol or drugs – leading to motorists being handed disqualifications by the courts. Many of the arrests these officers have undertaken have been born out of self-generated and developed intelligence.

Inspector Paul Latham, who leads the South Lakes Local Focus Team, said:

“The extra proactive officers are invaluable, and are integral members of our South Cumbria Local Focus teams. They work closely with PCSO, problem solving officers and partner agencies, targeting and arrest numerous offenders.

“Since their recruitment, we have also been able to provide extensive additional, strategic patrols across the South Lakes. Patrols have targeted drink and drug drivers, ATM thefts, rural crime and criminals travelling into the county.

Inspector Jim Bailey, who leads the Barrow Local Focus team, said:

“These officers are dedicated and hard-working and these results reflect that.

“Their recruitment has allowed us to look at local community issues that matter to residents, such as anti-social behaviour, and to then proactively and strategically address them.

“These officers have been out-and-about, carrying out visible duties, solving and deterring crime and reassuring the public.

“They have supported the wider teams in large scale operations and at incidents that are Constabulary priorities such as safeguarding vulnerable individuals and investigating high impact crimes.

“The increased capacity they bring to our force is welcomed by officers and has been positively acknowledged by local residents.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall said: “The extra pro-active officers have done some outstanding work in South Cumbria.  I am very conscious that extra council tax is not popular but I hope that people will feel that the real impact these additional officers have made, is worth it to keep our streets safe.

“We asked you what you wanted to see and you very clearly told us that you want to see officers on your street fighting crime.  Hopefully, the results one year in will help you understand what the increase in your council tax has been paying for and the difference it is making in fighting crime and keeping you safe.  Whilst, in South Cumbria the pro-active teams equate to eight officers, they have made a real difference.

“We are very aware that there has been an increase in quad bike theft in the south and east of the county.  I have raised this with the Chief Constable and have received assurance that there is a full policing operation in place.  It is important if you spot anything suspicious please contact the police.  It is only by us all working together that we can keep our communities safe.

“With the Government’s promise of another extra 20,000 police officers across the UK, we welcome that in the first tranche of recruitment that we will receive funding to recruit 51 additional officers. These additional police officers will be dedicated to our frontline and will be out in our communities fighting crime.  The Chief Constable and her team will be working with us to determine how best they can be deployed, to have the best effect for our communities including rural.”

Noteworthy operations and results include:

• Preventing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of illegal county line activity in Kendal and Barrow, arresting street level dealers and organised crime gangs

• Proactively seizing numerous vehicles identified as involved in anti-social behaviour in the South Lakes area. Targeting such vehicles has also led to convictions
• Working with partners to identify, support and safeguarding vulnerable individuals in Egerton Court and Barrow Island
• South Lake’s officers have support many large scale events including Kendal Torchlight Carnival, Appleby Horse Fair and the Tour of Britain
• Recovering stolen property from a van in Barrow valued at over £10,000
• Provided a dedicated night time economy patrols across the South Lakes
• Stop searches in Barrow town centre resulting in offenders being charged with being in possession of knives
• Innovative use of social media to warn and inform the local communities and to appeal for information relating to crimes or missing people.
• Successfully reduced levels of antisocial behaviour in all South Lakes town centres by regularly deploying dedicated patrols.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said:

“We asked you what you wanted to see and you very clearly told us that you want to see officers on your street fighting crime.  Hopefully, the results one year in will help you understand what the increase in your council tax has been paying for and the difference it is making in fighting crime and keeping you safe.  Whilst, in North Cumbria the pro-active teams equate to eight officers, they have made a real difference.

“We all have an important role in tackling crime, the police need information and it is only by passing information and reporting, that the police can build up a picture of what is causing you issues.  By us all working together we can make our communities safe and stop criminal behaviour.

“With the Government’s promise of another extra 20,000 police officers across the UK, we welcome that in the first tranche of recruitment that we will receive funding to recruit 51 additional officers. These additional police officers will be dedicated to our frontline and will be out in our communities fighting crime.  The Chief Constable and her team will be working with us to determine how best they can be deployed, to have the best effect for our communities.”